Legislative roundup for March 5-12

(Editor’s note: This is a look at recent action in the Georgia Legislature and how Bryan County’s legislators voted. It was compiled by Correspondent Corey Barnes.)

FAST Act

The House on March 5 approved, 160-5, Senate Bill 2 otherwise known as “The FAST Act – Fairness, Accountability, Simplification, and Transparency.” The goal is to enhance accountability and notice requirements for agency rule to reduce regulatory burden on businesses. The bill will advance to Gov. Nathan Deal’s desk and will become law if he signs it.

Voting yes: Jesse Petrea, Ron Stephens, Jan Tankersley.

Dyslexia Recognition Resolution

The House on March 9 adopted, 159-0, House Resolution 1017 which encourages all schools, local educational agencies, and the state educational agency to recognize that dyslexia has a profound educational impact that must be addressed. The resolution moves on to the Senate for consideration.

Voting yes: Petrea, Stephens, Tankersley

General Appropriations

The House on March 9 approved, 155-14, House Bill 684 which provides appropriations for State Fiscal Year beginning July 1, 2018, lasting until June 30, 2019. The bill provides funds for operation of state government and its departments. The bill moves on to the Senate for consideration.

Voting yes: Petrea, Stephens, Tankersley

Sunday Alcohol Sales

The House on March 12 approved, 97-64, Senate Bill 17 which concerns the sale of alcohol on Sundays. The bill allows for local municipalities to hold a referendum on the proposal to begin Sunday alcohol sales at 11 a.m. instead of the current 12:30 p.m. The rule change would extend to wineries and any establishment that makes at least 50 percent of its total annual gross sales from food. The bill moves on to Gov. Deal’s desk for consideration.

Voting yes: Petrea, Stephens

Voting no: Tankersley

Expanding Retirement System for Law Enforcement Officers

The Senate on March 9 approved, 51-0, House Bill 135 which concerned the types of law enforcement officers permitted to obtain creditable service in the Employees’ Retirement System of Georgia. The bill expands the class of law enforcement officers that may obtain creditable services to include any investigator of the Department of Driver Services and any criminal investigators or K9 handlers of the Department of Corrections. The bill moves on to Gov. Deal’s desk for consideration.

Voting yes: Ben Watson.

Local Government Authorities

The Senate on March 9 approved, 51-0, House Bill 257 which would require all local government authorities to register with the Department of Community Affairs to be eligible for state funds. Furthermore, the bill prohibits authorities from incurring debt or credit obligations prior to submitting a report to the Department. The bill moves on to Gov. Deal’s desk for consideration.

Voting yes: Watson

Amending Georgia Air Quality Act

The Senate on March 12 approved, 53-0, House Bill 885 which concerns the authority of the Board of Natural Resources. The Board may not limit or restrict burning over any agricultural tract, lot, or parcel greater than five acres provided that such burning is consistent with requirements of federal act and is limited to vegetative material.

Voting yes: Watson

Mandatory Fingerprinting in Dept. of Revenue

The Senate on March 12 approved, 52-0, House Bill 816 which requires all prospective employees of the Department of Revenue to submit to mandatory fingerprinting and criminal record checks. Contractors, subcontractors, and current employees who have not had a background check in the past 10 years will be subject to the fingerprinting and check as well.